Retail renaissance

Billy Reid is on the move in Houston with relocation to Upper Kirby bungalow

An artist rendering of the new Billy Reid store in Houston.
Billy Reid

Billy Reid just isn't a mall type of guy. The Florence, Ala.-based designer who is a big hit among the fashion set in New York has decided to relocate his Houston store from The Galleria to a bungalow near the corner of Westheimer and Kirby.

The house, a former antique store next door to Chuy's, is currently undergoing renovation with a planned opening next month. The Dallas-based architecture firm Drose Raney designed the new Houston store as well as a store in Atlanta that opens in April. (The Atlanta location marks the seventh store for Reid.)

Both stores are expected to reflect Reid's sensibilities, combining Southern gentility with a modern edge. His Galleria location was homey, with heirloom photographs, salvaged wood and vintage furniture. The new 2,500-square-foot store will reflect those traits in a real house as a press release explained:

As a company, Billy Reid has been moving away from mall locations over the last couple of years. Being out of the malls and in more free-standing locations develops more of the hospitality component of the brand is known for, which has really helped build stronger relationships with customers."

Reid will unveil his fall 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Friday night at a studio in New York. In 2010, Reid won two prestigious fashion awards, the Council of Fashion Designers Association/Vogue Fashion Fund Award and the CFDA/GQ Best New Menswear Designer in America.

The Houston store will carry the full range of Reid's designs, including men's, women's and accessories collections as well as exclusive in-store merchandise.

The intersection of Westheimer and Kirby is experiencing a retail renassiance, with the venerable Tootsies and menswear stores Q Custom Clothier and Rye 51 at West Ave and the new Sam & Lilli from the owners of 310 Rosemont on the way. Across the street, Sloan/Hall is expanding its store into the location previous occupied by Riaro hair salon.

In the weeks preceeding its relocation, Billy Reid is holding a moving sale at its Galleria location.

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Post Oak property redeveloped

Renovated Galleria development will add 'greatest neighborhood restaurant'

Central Park Post Oak redevelopment rendering

Courtesy of Midway

The complex will add two new buildings.

A Galleria-area office complex has announced a comprehensive series of renovations and upgrades designed to make it one of the area’s premier mixed-use destinations. Renovations are currently underway at the Post Oak Central development, which will now be known as Central Park Post Oak.

Located at 2000 Post Oak Boulevard between Westheimer and San Felipe, Central Park Post Oak is a 17-acre parcel that consists of three high-rise office buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of office separated by an expansive lawn. Houston-based real estate development firm Midway, working with real estate investment firms 3Edgewood and Parkway, plans to replace that lawn with two new retail buildings and a greenspace. The changes are partially inspired by the Post Oak Boulevard redevelopment project that added more than 1,000 trees, wider sidewalks, and dedicated bus lanes to the bustling thoroughfare.

"Our vision is to create a dynamic, walkable urban destination that honors the Boulevard’s rich history while meeting the evolving needs of Houston's Uptown District. We are crafting a lifestyle for those who work, shop, and dine here," Midway executive vice president Clayton Freels said in a statement.

One anchor of the new retail component will be the first Houston location of The Henry, a restaurant that will occupy a newly-constructed, 7,000-square-foot, jewel box space. Part of Fox Restaurant Concepts (North Italia, Flower Child), The Henry is described as “the greatest neighborhood restaurant.” It’s open for weekday breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner with an eclectic menu that includes sandwiches, salads, sushi, steak, seafood, and more.

Other changes to the property include the addition of on-street parking, upgrades to the complex’s parking garages, and more new retailers and restaurants that will be announced in the coming months. The project began construction in April with plans to finish by fall 2026.

In addition, Midway announced that TDECU will occupy 125,000 square feet in Central Park One and BBVA has leased a floor (20,000 square feet) in Central Park Two.

Courtesy of Midway

The complex will add two new buildings.

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